we move

This past week was the largest Bike to Work Day in the region’s history. Over 14,500 people choose to use a bicycle for their commute. This is the new normal in our city, and we must continue to must demand that DDOT build facilities to make bicycling a convenient, safe, and attractive mode of transportation. DDOT will host the second round of public workshops for its long-range transportation planning process, called Move DC. We need you to attend a public workshop in your neighborhood to demand better bicycling. DDOT is listening and we are being heard.

Please plan to attend another workshop in the second round of Move DC public meetings. We’ve prepared a fact sheet on Move DC with talking points and supporting data. Download it now (PDF).

Last night, we had a great turnout at our office to talk about transportation policy changes in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. While DDOT is gearing up to produce its first-ever master transportation plan, Maryland is revising its bicycle and pedestrian master plan and the Virginia senate is considering a number of bills that could affect cyclists. Last night’s open house was designed to give attendees more information, as well as some talking points.

Those interested in Maryland’s bicycle and pedestrian plan should sign up to receive updates from MDOT here. And Virginians can follow the Virginia Bicycling Federation’s blog for frequent updates on what the senate is considering.

As for D.C., planning for WeMove will occur on two tracks, one technical and one involving public input. WeMove is designed to emphasize the feedback gathered at public meetings. Though a schedule of those meetings has not been released, the process will kick off on Sat., Feb. 9 at 9:30 a.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. library downtown. We hope you’ll come out to show the presence of cyclists interested in DDOT’s plans for how people will get around D.C. throughout the next decade. The best thing you can do is show up and ask for improvements for cycling infrastructure that will help not just you, your friends, and your neighbors ride bikes.

We’ll provide continued updates here and throughout our website. Look for dates of public meetings, opportunities to testify, and more fact sheets to help you out with possible talking points.

In the meantime, you can view and download a PDF of the fact sheet we handed out last night below regarding WeMove:

We announced via email and Twitter last night that we’ve got a smartphone app. It’s available for iPhone and Android. Download it and use it with abandon! You can track crashes, input personal information, and access the D.C. bike laws.

Then, come to Red Derby on Tues., Feb. 5 to celebrate the app’s launch. From 5 to 8 p.m., hang out with WABA staff, members, and friends, and enjoy half-priced tacos and $1 off all drinks. (Happy-hour deals will extend past 8 p.m. for the occasion). RSVP on Facebook.

Since this is the first the app’s been made public, we expect that there will be some bugs. Please let us know what they are (screenshots are great!) and what kind of phone you’re using. We’ll let you know when an update is available.

–

Additionally, join us tonight from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in our Adams Morgan office at 2599 Ontario Road NW to learn how you can advocate for better bicycling as the region moves forward with new planning initiatives. The District, Maryland, and Virginia are all considering policies that will impact cyclists, and we want to help you make your voice heard. You don’t have to be a professional advocate or consider yourself a frequent attendee of public meetings–this is a great opportunity to get an update on what’s going on that we hope will make you feel empowered to get involved.

Sign up for the open house here. If you’re unable to attend in person, we’ll have a conference call starting at 7 p.m. You can phone in at (610) 214-0000 and enter 334683# when prompted for an access code. We’ll see you, or hear from you, tonight!

Major changes are coming in planning, government, and policy in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. DDOT is launching WeMove, the first District-wide master transportation plan; Maryland is rewriting its bicycle and pedestrian master plan after a decade; and a number of bills related to cycling are being considered by the Virginia senate.

Join WABA tomorrow night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in our Adams Morgan office at 2599 Ontario Road NW to learn how you can advocate for better bicycling as the region moves forward with new planning initiatives. Sign up for the open house here. If you’re unable to attend in person, we’ll have a conference call starting at 7 p.m. You can phone in at (610) 214-0000 and enter 334683# when prompted for an access code.

There’s plenty of information on the site about the project, but if you’d like to talk specifically about the needs of cyclists, plan to come to our office next Wednesday evening. We’ll address not just MoveDC, but also Maryland’s bicycle and pedestrian master plan, which is being rewritten.

Between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., we’ll discuss how to present information at public meetings and distribute major talking points. Our office is located at 2599 Ontario Road NW in Adams Morgan. Please sign up for the open house here.